Jim Sanford of Sanford/Strauss Architects has been a practicing architect for almost fifty years now. From his office in Waitsfield, Vermont he works throughout the state and the U.S. Known for his energetic spirit and creativity, his wide range of interests has led to work in a broad scale from component design, lighting, and fabrication to city planning including residential, industrial, and commercial projects.

His extensive construction experience results in a personally crafted quality that separates his work from other architects. Featured in the “New Americans” exhibition in Turin, Italy he has been published and exhibited widely including the one man show “Dreams Come True” at Norwich University. In 2023 he was awarded the Fritz Steele award for design excellence by the Madsonian Museum, and in 2024 he was named one of the 200 best residential architects in the U.S. by Forbes magazine. Sanford has taught architecture extensively and regularly acts as a critic at architectural programs. Sanford/Strauss is licensed in Vermont, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and NCARB registered.

Practicing architecture from Vermont gives a unique view of different approaches to growth and development. Working from the Waitsfield office, Ellen provides architectural design and consulting services on a broad scale individual architectural components to residential and commercial design to large and small-scale and village planning. Ellen has led and been a team member for a wide range of planning projects including Village Improvement Plans, which focused on the repairing, maintaining or developing the local vernacular, streetscape, pedestrian and community feel. She is known for working closely with her clients to create the best possible project using as many local products and craftsmen as possible, at both ends of the budget spectrum.

Using a sustainable approach to materials and site, and a style that often incorporates the local vernacular, she has specialized in creating energy efficient architectural solutions throughout the Northeast. She is active in the local community in planning, recreation, trail and preservation issues and serves as a member of the Mad River Valley Rural Resource Commission / CLG and board member of Smart Growth VT.

Her previous work experience includes working for Philip Johnson Architect in NYC. Ellen is licensed in the states of New York, and Massachusetts, is registered with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and is a member of the American Institute of Architects.